New Zealand Space Agency (NZSA)

The New Zealand Space Agency (NZSA) is New Zealand's national space authority, established in April 2016 as a unit within the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and headquartered in Wellington. It serves as the lead government agency for space policy, regulation, and sector development, acting as the primary point of contact for space activity in New Zealand.

NZSA is responsible for regulating New Zealand's domestic space activities under the Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Act 2017, issuing licenses and permits for rocket launches, satellite operations, high-altitude vehicles, and ground-based space infrastructure. It also represents New Zealand in international space governance forums, including the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS).

New Zealand has become a significant commercial space launch market following Rocket Lab's establishment of its Māhia Peninsula launch site, and NZSA oversees the licensing of launches from New Zealand territory. The agency also provides guidance on space debris mitigation, spectrum coordination, and sustainable space activities, while supporting industry growth through funding, scholarships, and STEM-focused workforce development initiatives.

As a government regulator rather than a commercial operator, NZSA does not sell products or services; its role is to enable and oversee a safe, sustainable, and internationally compliant New Zealand space sector.